Apparatus for displaying variable information in offices and elsewhere



g 1953 R. A. E. GUICHARD 2,6 7,3 7

APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING VARIABLE INFORMATION IN OFFICES AND ELSEWHERE Filed Nov. 10, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A tlorney A 4, 1953 R A E GUICHARD 2,647,327

APPARATUS FOR D'IsLAYING VARIABLE INFORMATION IN OFFICES AND ELSEWHERE Filed Nov. 10, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I nvenior X ZIMRQM I Attorney i atented Aug. 4, 1953 APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYINGQVARIABLE ,IN- FORMATION IN OFFICES AND ELSEWHERE Raymond E..Guichard, Paris, France Application November 10, 1959, Serial No. 194,982

In France November 19, 1949 7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to the kind of apparatus for displaying information in a clearly visible manner which is commonly known as a planning system and in which overlapping strips of plastic, cardboard or other material are moved longitudinally in channel on a frame that is usually hung on a wall, but may be mounted on a stand. As an example of the use of such an apparatus, several strips of different colours lying one behind the other in the same channel may by their respective visible lengths indicate the quantities of a given material in stock, on order and reserved for specific purposes. To the extent to which the strips overlap, a strip in front completely conceals one or more behind it. Now as the state of affairs changes one or another strip is moved longitudinally in the channel to change the exposed and visible length of one or more of the strips and often in the apparatus hitherto used an underlying or overlapping strip is accidentally moved at the same time. In any event, the exact position of each strip in the channel is a matter of importance and with the apparatus used hitherto a strip can easily be displacedlongitudinally.

In my application Serial No. 48,948, now Patent No. 2,622,346, I have described how this accidental displacement can be prevented by providing interengaging means on the strips and frame by which each strip may be held in a number of alternative positions. Although thi is effective in preventing displacement during the adjustment of the strips, it is found that if the apparatus is carried about or shaken the means may disengage so that the apparatus no longer conveys the desired information.

It is an object of this invention to provide mean independent of the action of gravity for resisting longitudinal movement of the strips.

It is a further object to urge means on strips and frame resiliently into engagement.

It is a further object to provide locating elements resiliently connected to the strips.

The various preferred embodiments of the invention are shown, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings. In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a front view and Figure 2 an end elevation of one construction;

Figure 3 shows part of one strip and a spring fixed to it;

Figure 4 is an end elevation of part of an apparatus in which strips as shown in Figure 3 may be used;

Figures 5 and 6 are views similar to Figures 3 and 4 of another trip and apparatus;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a modified form of strip with a spring; and

Figures 8 and 9 are respectively a front view and a plan of yet another strip and spring.

In Figures 1 and 2 two strips 2 and 4 are shown overlapping in a channel 6 which is one of several carried on a frame 8. j The strips are differently coloured, and the length of the exposed part of each gives a piece of information. I One or more strips must be moved longitudinally in the channel when the state of affairs which is visibly indicated changes, and to prevent one strip being accidentally displaced longitudinally while another is positively moved each strip has a forwardly bent tongue I!) constituting a locating element which engages one or another of openings [2 in the front wall of the channel 8. The tongue Ill serves also as a handle by which the strip is disengaged and slid along the channelas required. Accidental disengagement isresis'ted by a spring I4 carried by the strip and bearing against the bottom of the next channel 6 above. This spring is a wire, fastened at one end to the strip by a rivet I 6 and having a rounded free end l8. It will be seen that the spring 14 bears against an abutment which in the construction illustrated i the bottom of the channel 5, but of course may be some other member carried by the frame. As the spring sets up frictional resistance to movement of the strip along the channel, it may, if desired, be used alone to prevent accidental longitudinal displacement of thenstrip. However it is preferably used as shown in Figures land 2 in conjunction with the tongues l0 and openings l2.

Figures 3 and 4 show a strip 28 which carries a spring 30, which is formed of a single bent piece of Wire. This wire is secured at one end to the strip by a rivet 28 and is inclined upwardly as shown. It is then bent into a loop 22, and is finally bent back and out of the plane of the of these and so constitutes a locating element.

In the modification shown in Figures 5 and 6 there is a strip with a spring 50 of much the same shape as that in Figures 3 and 4-, and the strip slide in a channel 6|. In this case, however, the abutment for the spring is constituted by the underside of the next channel 6i above. Openings 62 are made in the bottom of each channel, but, in order to prevent any interference with the strips in the channel above, the springs 60 are formed into loops 63 which are of such a small size that they will engage in but not project through the openings 82.

In the modification shown in Figure 7 the strip is compound, consisting essentially of a frame 36 of transparent material which receives a piece of paper or cardboard 38. This paper or card.- board can bear any desired written matter or form a label. It slides Within the frame 36, which is essentially C-shaped. The spring is part of a piece of wire bent to U shape, the legs 48 and M of the U tending to spring apart so grip the frame 36. Between these legs a length of the Wire is bent forwardly to form a handle 42. The leg 40 continues as the spring.

proper 43 and passes through an opening 44 in the top of the frame.

Figures 8 and 9-show a paper or cardboard strip 65 which is grippdd atone end by a piece of sheetmetal 41 Which is somewhat deeper than the strip! A wi e is bent to form a sp and a handle and locating element 50 with two has and 52 which ext nd alo he ed s f the t i The end o the meta pie e 41 a folded over the legs 51 and-52 to grip the strip and serve to hold these lees in position. This form of strip has the advantage that the greatest wear is resisted by the m tal l ating e t and a car e y is asil p n ed with va s markings if required. Moreover, both this strip and that s own in Fi re 7 have locating elements or tongues which are bar y is ble n so do not detract from the utility ofthe apparams in displ y n inf rma on- Finally, str ps with spring may b us d in apparatus in which the c nnels xten vert ca ly and he t p a e mo ed ve tie i y as he s te of affa s to be indi a ed chan es:

I Cla m:

.1. Apparatus for displaying va iable o mertion, comp ising a flame, a pl ral ty 0 s ip indiv dually movable along sai trams in ongitw dinal overlappin e ationship to ive a isua representation of information by th r ex osed. p ts, means on said frame tornns as ide fo sa d ips, locati means alon said uide, a d; individual to each strip, a locating member connected to said strip and movabls ln'dir ctiens parallel to the plane of said strip and este dieular to the len th of said strip t n a e 41 with and disengage from said locating means in a plurality of positions of said strip, said locating members being normally positioned out of the path of relative longitudinal movement of the lengths of said strips so that each strip can be moved without disturbing the other overlapping strips, a handle for said locating memher, and a springzextending from said strip in a direction parallel to the plane thereof and urging said locating member into engagement with said locating means.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said locating member and said handle are parts of a projection rigid with said strip and perpendicular to the plane thereof, and said spring bears against Said uide opposite said locating means.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said locating means comprises a wall of said guide overlapping the faces of said strips adjasent one edg sai well be ng ndented t defin a se i s of op ni gs to receive t e base of aid project onrpe atu as c a med in cla m 2 herein said prin is of W re seeme at o e nd til-said ip? extend n b uely from said s rip, and und d a ts other and.

5- Anp atus as med in slaim 4 wher in aid Wire spri i i ped t one end of-sa dstrip by a b p e of sh e meta A p a us as cla med in. c aim 1 wherein said locating mem r and handle a e arr ed y said spring.

Ap a atu s aimed :in claim 1 he ein each of said strips om ris s a ansp rent sheath carry-ins d. s r n and an aque i ser with: in said sheath.

R YMOND A, E, GUIGHARD- References Cited in the file, Of this patent UNITED STATESsPAIE-NTS Number Name Date 1,558,920 Rech Oct. 27 1925 1,725,364 Miller Aug. 20 1929 1,732,983 Orchard get. 22 1929 2,03230 Padge t Fob-.25, 1936 2,118,675 Jackson May 24, 1938 2,527,901 Wassell H Oct, 31 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 1,202 Sweden Feb. 26,1879 

